Tokyo 2020: Hong Kong Olympic hopefuls to be locked in at elite training centre as epidemic escalates
- Olympic preparations will be affected, says coach, but training must carry on for Tokyo Games
- Institute to undergo deep cleaning after three karate athletes returned from Europe with Covid-19
The Hong Kong Sports Institute will lock down for two weeks from Wednesday after three of their karate athletes returned from Europe with the coronavirus, and because of the escalation of the epidemic across the city.
The Fo Tan training complex, which has over 1,000 athletes at all levels from part-time to full-timers and junior to senior categories, will become a closed camp for the first time since its opening in 1982.
Athletes can still undergo training with their coaches but none will be allowed to leave the Institute. Coaches will be given special accommodation if they choose to stay, while most of the full-time athletes have accommodation at the Institute’s athletes’ hostel.
It is expected some non-Olympic sports will choose to stop training during this period as they don’t have the Olympic Games this summer.
“This is being implemented to ensure a safe environment for athletes and staff,” said a spokesman. “We think most of the Olympic sports will continue to train at the Institute as they have to prepare for the Summer Games or its qualification, while the non-Olympic sports can move out temporarily to allow a better hygiene condition through less contact.”